Print version ISSN 1870-3925

Abstract

We analyze the gender dimensions of the commodification of land and water rights for irrigation in the area of 101 Cuxtepeques Irrigation District, in the Frailesca region of Chiapas. We examine the implications of the implementation of water policies promoted in Mexico to introduce market mechanisms that encourage private investment, reallocation of water rights and security of land tenure for rural women. It is argued that, in the context of existing relationships and power structures, markets for water rights recreate mechanisms of exclusion and social and gender inequality in local water resource management.

Keywords
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gender; water markets; water and land rights; irrigation districts; Chiapas.